The UEFA has utilized its various communication channels to disseminate the team of the week corresponding to the return leg of the Champions League round of 16, selecting a team where standout players who had remarkable performances in the eight matches played between March 11 and 12 are featured, aiding in determining the qualifiers for the quarter-finals of the competition.
This time, UEFA has opted for a 1-4-3-3 formation in their ideal star-studded lineup for the round of 16 return leg. In goal, the presence of Gianluigi Donnarumma stands out, a crucial player for Paris Saint-Germain in the return match by keeping a clean sheet throughout the regulation 90 minutes and extra time. Moreover, he also saved two penalties in the shootout from Liverpool's players (Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones).
In the defensive line of four, Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan has been chosen at right-back, and Nuno Mendes at left-back. Additionally, the central defensive partnership consists of Raul Asencio from Real Madrid and Emre Can from Borussia Dortmund.
Pedri Gonzalez is the only Barça player in this UEFA XI
In the midfield, the name of Pedri Gonzalez shines, the only player from FC Barcelona in this team, who delivered a sublime performance against SL Benfica. He has been showing his great performances as a creative midfielder and ball-recovery specialist. Supporting him in the midfield are Rodrigo de Paul from Atletico Madrid and Marco Asensio from Aston Villa, the latter scoring a brace against Club Brugge in this round.
In the forward line, the three chosen attackers were Raheem Sterling from Arsenal on the right wing, Maximilian Beier from Borussia Dortmund on the left, and Harry Kane from Bayern Munich as the center forward. The latter two scored goals in their respective matches.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal: surprising absentees
In this starting eleven, the absence of two players from FC Barcelona is striking. The first of them, and perhaps the most notable, is Raphinha, the left winger who played a crucial role against SL Benfica by actively contributing to all three goals scored by Barça in that match, scoring two of them and assisting in the third. Also, the absence of Lamine Yamal, the right winger, who scored a goal and provided an assist against the Lisbon side, is surprising.